Wildfire in Washington Prompts Evacuation in Medical Lake, Nearby Areas

Amid powerful 35 mph winds, a wildfire swept through the area near Medical Lake, Washington, prompting officials to issue evacuation orders for the entire town on Friday, according to NBC News.

The fire expanded dramatically in hours, surging from an initial estimate of 500 acres to nearly 3,000 acres, fueled by the gusty winds.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources communicated updates via Twitter, revealing that the fire had encroached upon properties within the city limits by 5:00 PM.

The Gray Fire's rapid growth was driven by unfavorable conditions, including high winds and the scorching weather of the preceding week.

Joe Smillie, a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, acknowledged the severity of the situation, disclosing that some homes had already been consumed by the flames.

The fire escalated explosively and prompted swift evacuation actions.

Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels reported that his team was actively moving through the evacuation area, urging residents to leave their homes and find safety.

Nowels described the fire as "zero percent" contained, with its destructive path expanding into more densely populated areas, including neighborhoods and a school.

Over 100 law enforcement officers responded to the escalating crisis, as the fire necessitated unconventional rescue methods.

Authorities employed boats and helicopters to rescue those in imminent danger but had not heeded evacuation warnings.

Sheriff Nowels underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that those within evacuation zones should leave promptly to avoid being caught in the dangerous path of the fire.

The Medical Lake Wildfire

Initially reported south of Lakeland Village before 12:30 PM, the fire quickly grew to 500 acres by 2:15 PM, according to Spokane County Fire District 10.

The urgency prompted hundreds to evacuate Medical Lake, leading to congested roads as residents fled with their belongings, said The Spokesman-Review.

"This is not good," Medical Lake resident Richard O'Leary said, watching the fire from across the water in Coney Island Park. "This is pretty serious because there's a pathway into town."

The blaze's intensity warranted the closure of State Route 902, except for emergency vehicles and evacuating residents.

As thick smoke billowed from the flames, air resources were deployed to combat the rapidly advancing fire. The visibility issues caused by the plume of smoke extended into Spokane and much of the West Plains region.

Authorities Initiate Strong Response Against Medical Lake Wildfire

The blaze's trajectory led it to the southern edge of Medical Lake, extending Level 3 evacuation orders to include the entire city.

In addition to residential evacuations, nearby state-operated medical facilities, Eastern State Hospital, and Lakeland Village Residential Habilitation Center initiated shelter-in-place measures. A shelter was also established at Cheney High School for those affected by the wildfire.

Authorities initiated a strong response, deploying aircraft to combat the fire's progression.

Norah West, assistant director of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, emphasized that the situation was evolving, and efforts were underway to ascertain the extent of the impact on the ground, per CNN.

As of the latest data, there have been no reported casualties, as confirmed by Spokane County Fire District 10 spokesperson Sarah Jydstrup.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: 'Do not come to the city of Medical Lake' | Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels on Gray Fire - From KREM 2 News